River cruising may be less well-known than ocean cruising, but it’s becoming more popular every year. And for good reason.
Well okay, we’ve come up with 24 reasons to take a river cruise because we enjoy them so much. Thus far, we’ve taken two European river cruises and one on the Nile. Each one was a fantastic adventure that everyone should try at least once in their life…and we can’t wait to do more!
In case you haven’t considered river cruising as an option for your next vacation—or you need some ammunition convincing someone to join you—read on. They’re listed in no particular order. Hopefully, you’ll understand why river cruising is a wonderful idea.
ⓘ TIP: Before booking, check for river cruise reviews online. They can answer any questions you might have about a particular cruise line or itinerary.
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1. River cruising is an excellent value.
The fare you pay is a great vacation value because almost everything is included in the price. There’s no nickel-and-diming you every time you turn around. Plus, unlike with ocean cruises, you can take a tour of each port at no extra charge.
Ships also provide free in-room wi-fi, and free wine, beer, and soft drinks are available with lunch and dinner.
To keep prices affordable, some optional things are not included in the price.
- Top-shelf alcohol. Some cruise lines include an open bar (that’s what I’d expect with higher fares) while others offer a drinks package instead.
- Personal items and gratuities.
- Tips for private guides. Viking Cruises suggests €2 (Euro) per person for tour guides and €1 for bus drivers
- Tips for staff. Viking suggests a (per guest, per day) gratuity of €2 Euro for your Program Director and €12 (Euro) which will be shared among the other staff on board.
Our experience: We chose to splurge on the all-inclusive premium beverage package, even though we really don’t drink a lot of hard alcohol. We do enjoy good wines though, and it was nice to share a bottle of the local one without having to worry about the final bill. To us, it was “no-sticker-shock insurance.” As to the gratuity, considering the incredibly attentive service, they certainly more than earned it and we were happy to pay. Generously.
2. River cruising is an easy way to see a region.
Cruise companies have carefully planned their itineraries, offering a wonderful mixture of scenery, big city life, and picturesque villages. You’ll see the best of a region, including UNESCO World Heritage sites. They’ve done all the research and you’ll reap the rewards.
- River cruise itineraries include lots of time in port.
- None of your waking hours are wasted on train travel or changing hotels.
- You only need to unpack at the beginning of your trip and pack when you leave.
- You wake up in a new port every day because—with the exception of some particularly scenic areas or visiting two sites in one day—the ship moves to its next destination while you sleep.
Our experience: No ocean cruise will let you tick off inland “bucket list” places like Nuremberg, Paris, Vienna, and Budapest. No road trip will get you to as many World Heritage sites in a week without exhaustion.
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3. You won’t need to manage any logistics.
If you’re the type who stresses about the details and returns home wondering if you’ve seen all the highlights, relax. All the details are taken care of, from the well-thought-out itinerary to transportation, lodging, and food.
They can even book your flights if you want.
Our experience: We loved not having to think about anything but having fun.
4. River cruise ships are luxurious.
Forget what you may have heard: Newer vessels are a million miles away from the cramped, older ships of yesteryear. Today’s new and updated river cruise ship is a floating, upscale, modern hotel.
Even though river limitations mean they have to be smaller, the newest rivergoing ships still have a serious “wow factor.” Public areas have incredible contemporary decor, lots of glass, and plenty of light. Some cruise lines offer spas, fitness rooms, and al fresco dining options. One cruise line even has a swimming pool that transforms into a cinema in the evening!
These days, comfortable lounges, balconies, and open decks provide an array of opportunities to hang out and relax in the sun or shade. There are computers for people who don’t want to bring along their electronics and libraries that offer a quiet spot to sit with a book or work a jigsaw puzzle. Sun decks can include pools, hot tubs, putting greens, chaise lounges, herb gardens, shuffleboard, and oversized lawn chess.
When you book your cruise, you’ll quickly discover that there is no such thing as an interior room. Every cabin has a view of the river and most have balconies or sliding doors that open.
In the staterooms—you can even book a 2-room suite—expect refrigerators, hotel-style beds, and marble baths with heated floors and famous brand toiletries. With their fluffy linens and flat-screen TVs, cabins rival any upscale hotel … but here your in-room Wi-Fi is free.
Our experience: You’ll get much better Wi-Fi while everyone else is ashore.
5. River ships are intimate.
Because they need to go through locks and under low bridges, river cruise ships have size limitations. What this means is that even the largest of river vessels can carry no more than about 200 passengers.
Not only does this mean that the staff will get to know you personally, you’ll have a chance to get to know them, too. Many of them are from the countries you’ll be visiting. What a great way to get to know a local!
It also offers a fabulous opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers—both on the sun deck, in the lounge, and at meals.
Our experience: We still keep in touch with a couple of people we met on our two river cruises.
6. You get more unforgettable experiences and memories.
On our 7-day Rhine River cruise, we were able to sample Swiss chocolate in Basel, enjoy photographing the intensely castle-laden Middle Rhine, explore quaint Alsatian villages like Colmar, see Cologne’s famous Gothic cathedral, and enjoy the canals in Amsterdam. Not to mention sample Dutch jenever with newfound friends.
7. You’ll never get seasick.
If you’re looking for smooth sailing, this is it; it doesn’t get any smoother than this. River currents are easy and—with the possible exception of a passing speedboat—practically wave-free.
Our experience: You know all those tips for avoiding seasickness while cruising? I didn’t need them.
8. You’ll never have to worry about sinking in open waters.
Rivers are only a few meters deep—sometimes only a few feet—so even in the unlikely event the ship were to sink, you could just bring a book to the top deck and wait for help. Oh—and you’ll never even think about sharks.
Our experience: I don’t know about you, but I think that there’s something very reassuring about always being able to see the shore.
9. You’ll never get bored on board.
Riverboats may calmly sail the waters with nary a ripple, but the rest of the experience is action-packed. You will receive a cruise newsletter at turn-down listing the schedule for the next day’s activities, lectures, shore excursions, meals, and any planned onboard games and activities.
If you need some alone time to relax in your stateroom, look no further than your flat-screen TV. It offers a variety of movies, documentaries, news channels (in English), and itinerary-specific programs.
Our experience: Who has time for TV?
10. You always have a view.
You wake up to a view of the river every morning. Later, you can sit under a canopy on the open deck—or on some ships soak in a hot tub or pool—and choose to do little more than enjoy amazing river views.
Depending on where you cruise, you could see anything from European castles to Egyptian temples to someone plowing his field with a water buffalo!
11. Even the daytime cruising is fun.
Your ship will usually cruise at night to maximize your time in port. All that changes when there are particularly beautiful stretches like the Rhine River Gorge or the Danube’s Wachau Valley.
In these areas, cruise lines make it a point to move during daylight hours. Not only is the scenery fantastic, but sitting on the outdoor deck of your “floating hotel” is wonderfully relaxing.
Our experience: Our Rhine cruise featured a fabulous themed picnic meal out on the sun deck—complete with beer, burgers, brats, and sweet treats … and our scenic noshing was accompanied by German music as we cruised to our next destination.
12. Entertainment is culturally relevant (and free).
Mega-ships on the big blue sea have things like kids’ clubs and glitzy Las Vegas-style revues. Don’t expect that on a river boat, where they focus less on idle time activities and more on the itinerary. What this means is that almost all experiences will be inspired by the port you are visiting.
Your Cruise Director will usually offer a lecture about the upcoming port, and sometimes you’ll even have an opportunity to take a brief language class from a crew member. Occasionally, depending on the night and the port, cruises might bring a folkloric dance troupe aboard or remain moored later so passengers can attend a performance, perhaps a ballet, opera or organ concert.
And then there’s the time we had dinner ashore in Rudesheim. Yeah, that’s me. They drafted me into playing Edelweiss on a cowbell. It was fun.
They do switch things up to keep things interesting, though. Some evenings the lounge is free, allowing time for chatting with fellow passengers while the ship musician plays a bit of relaxing background music on his keyboard. Special request, anyone?
Our experience: Having been accustomed to a cavernous auditorium on our previous ocean cruise, we liked this alternative too: enjoying culturally relevant entertainment along with a few of our shipmates in the ship’s intimate lounge.
On one occasion, we sampled Dutch cheeses and jenever (a local spirit), then joined in a competition as everyone tried their hand at Sjoelbak (Dutch table shuffleboard). On the Nile, we dressed up in Egyptian costumes and danced the night away. I can’t recall any of the shows we saw on the ocean liners, but I do remember these.
13. River cruising is casual.
No reserved tables on this cruise: When it comes to dining, there is just one seating, and it’s open seating. River cruising is casual dress at all times as well, so forget the long dress and tux. Leave your heels and ties at home.
Our experience: It’s nice not having formal nights, but we did bring a set of slightly dressier clothes anyway (e.g., a black skirt and flats, a button-down shirt and a tie). We felt a lot more comfortable at the Captain’s Dinner and the evening concert in Vienna.
14. Your ship ties up in the middle of town.
No need for long walks to a shuttle, your riverboat will often tie up right in town. This means you will have only a short walk or quick bus ride into the heart of the city. Even when the berths are already all occupied and your ship has to tie up to another ship, it’s only a short hop and jaunt through the other vessel’s lobby or sun deck to get to shore.
Being so close to the action means you have more time in port. It also makes it easy to feel like you’re taking part in a town’s day-to-day life. You will be in the local culture as soon as you step off the ship.
You’ll be able to mingle with locals in a sidewalk café within sight of your ship, shop until you drop, and return for lunch on board or an afternoon nap. It’s nice to lose yourself in the markets or explore museums, monuments and other must-see attractions on your own schedule.
15. Most tours are included.
Every port includes a shore tour, from a traditional walk around a town to a bus trip to a local attraction (on the Rhine we took a bus through the Black Forest to an ancient monastery, then visited a cuckoo clock workshop and gobbled/got the recipe for Black Forest cake).
On both of our Viking cruises, they offered optional excursions for people with special interests. I’m sure the non-drinking passengers were happy that an evening experiencing Cologne’s Brauhaus culture wasn’t included in the price of the cruise. We, on the other hand, were happy to pay extra to try various styles of Kölsch, because it’s a pale ale that is only produced in Cologne.
ⓘ TIP: Consider paying for the optional extra tours when available. Experiences like a camel ride along the Nile, exclusive wine tastings in a local home, or a scenic drive along the Romantic Road are priceless.
16. It’s easy to “listen up”
Many of the better companies issue passengers a personal listening device (wireless receiver and earphones) on arrival. This is one of our favorite features because it makes it easy to hear the guide perfectly clearly, no matter the distance or venue. No need to stay near the guide in order to hear!
Our experience: The downside is that you have to remember to charge it in your room every night. And we had to run back to our rooms more than once because we’d forgotten to bring them along. In Egypt, our tour group was so small that we didn’t need any help to hear the guide.
17. You’ll take amazing photos.
Cruising offers endless opportunities to take photos of ancient castles, famous monuments, pretty countryside, and charming villages along the river.
18. There’s no nickel-and-diming on a cruise.
The all-inclusive nature of river cruises allows you to relax, free from worrying about surprises when you get the final bill. There are no casinos, ever-present photographers, drinks-of-the-day, spa specials, or high-priced excursions.
Every ocean cruise we’ve been on began with a hefty charge for “incidentals and gratuities” on our credit card, and then continued with daily sales pitches to buy, buy, buy. Not here.
Our experience: We booked and paid for our optional tours and the spirits package ahead of time. Again, there were no surprises when we got our final bill.
19. Kids are a rarity.
With their focus on itineraries, food, and culture rather than on-board entertainment and heavy partying, river cruises rarely appeal to kids and 20-somethings. Most river cruise companies market to people in the age group that prefers history and culture to running around drunk and half-naked.
That works for us.
Our experience: There were plenty of happy middle-aged passengers on our cruise. However, the demographic is dropping on the newer, more contemporary vessels.
20. The staff to passenger ratio is fab.
Because of the limited number of passengers on board, you’ll also become quickly acquainted with the friendly, helpful, knowledgeable crew. They all speak English and many are from the countries you’ll be visiting.
Our experience: Our waiters quickly learned our preferences.
Rado was our favorite waiter on our Rhine cruise
21. You can try local cuisines.
Speaking of new experiences, your menu will offer both local dishes and predictable standards. For instance, you may have the chance to enjoy sauerbraten while docked in Germany or dine on goulash while in Budapest.
From breakfast to dinner’s dessert, local cheeses, fruits, wines, and beers are a part of the ship’s menu. Your chef will harvest herbs from the sundeck and prepare your meal with ingredients he purchased while in port as well, so everything will be incredibly fresh.
Our experience: The local breads and pastries were especially hard to resist, and the wines were always a treat for our senses. in other words, walking is your waistline’s friend.
22. You’re not stuck with European rivers.
Ocean cruises may have days “at sea” but there are never any “on river” days here. Every day you will find yourself in at least one new port and everyone will take advantage of the included guided tours before they seize the opportunity to head out on their own to explore.
Our experience: Why spend a day enjoying the boat when you could be out experiencing the town? We found some Roman remnants while exploring Cologne, which we thought was pretty cool.
As popular as those Rhine and Danube cruises may be, that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. (No Titanic-sized icebergs here, yay!) When it comes to river cruising there are plenty of places you can see and go, beginning with a remarkable assortment of cruises available in France (Bordeaux, anyone?). Or cruise all the way from Amsterdam to the Black Sea or see towns on the Volga River as you sail between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Mark Twain may have liked Mississippi steamboats, but don’t despair if more exotic locations float your boat (sorry, couldn’t resist). There are hundreds of cruises around the world, from India and China to Southeast Asia, the Amazon, Egypt, and beyond.
Our experience: As wonderful as European river cruises are, cruising on the Nile is an experience not to be missed.
23. River cruise companies are increasingly eco-friendly
Many major river cruise lines are investing in new technology to improve operating efficiency, safety, and environmental sensitivity.
For example, Viking River Cruises designed their new longships with the environment in mind. They have “a state-of-the-art propulsion system [that] delivers a quieter, vibration-free, more environmentally friendly ride. Passengers probably won’t notice what’s going on below the waterline, but the hybrid, diesel/electric engines save an estimated 20 percent on fuel.”
24. You will hate to leave the ship.
We promise.
Our experience: The only bad moment we had was leaving the ship at the end of cruise.
Do you know any more reasons to take a river cruise?
Share them in the comments for other readers!
